To legally rebound the ball, a player must not displace, push, or charge an opponent. They must also maintain a vertical position and not bend their body abnormally. There is no such thing as an "over-the-back" foul unless contact is made via pushing or holding. Officials must watch for illegal contact on rebounds and ensure players remain in their vertical plane with straight arms. Swinging elbows excessively and dangerously is considered elbowing, even without contact.

1. “ Over the Back” To obtain or maintain a legal rebounding position a player may not : Displace, push or charge an opponent Bend their body in an abnormal way to hold or displace an opponent Violate the Principle of Verticality. * There really is no such thing as “over-the-back”: there must be contact – it must be either a pushing or holding foul The Center and Lead officials must close down on shots and watch for illegal contact on rebounds

2. Principle of Verticality Applies to being in a legal guarding position. Player must remain in their “vertical plane” Arms must be STRAIGHT UP Player can jump vertically, but not out of the vertical plane Player must avoid contact with their lower body outside of their vertical plane Offensive player may not “intrude” a defensive player’s vertical plane in an attempt to clear them out. A player that sticks out an arm, shoulder, hip or leg, into the path of an opponent is NOT considered to be in legal guarding position – and is responsible for that contact.

3. Excessive Swinging of Elbows ELBOWING : a player swings his elbows in an excessive and dangerous manner. No contact need occur If a player accidentally elbows to throw a pass it is considered accidental contact If there is… no contact = violation contact = technical foul